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Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852

 

Dates

  • Existence: 1782 - 1852

Biography

Daniel Webster was born on January 18, 1872 in Salisbury, New Hampshire. He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1801, after which he began the study of law under Thomas W. Thompson and Christopher Gore. In 1805, he opens a law practice in Boscawen, New Hampshire where he stayed there until 1807. As a result of his opposition to the War of 1812, Webster is elected to the New Hampshire House of Representative in 1813 where he served until 1817. In 1816, he moves to Boston and is elected to the Massachusetts House of Representative (1823-1827) and the Senate (1827-1841 and 1845-1850). As a senator, he was a spokesman for American nationalism with powerful oratory that made him a key Whig leader. He spoke for conservatives and led the opposition to Democrat Andrew Jackson and his Democratic Party, firmly challenging Jackson's policies in the Bank War. From 1841 to 1843 and 1850 to 1852, Webster served as the United States Secretary of State. As a diplomat, he is best known for negotiating the Webster–Ashburton Treaty of 1842 with Great Britain which established the Canada–United States border east of the Rocky Mountains. As a lawyer, Webster was highly regarded in the courtroom, shaping several key US Supreme Court cases that established important constitutional precedents and bolstered the authority of the federal government. One of the cases he argued was the Dartmouth College case in 1819. The case arose when the president of Dartmouth College was deposed by its trustees, leading to the New Hampshire legislature attempting to force the college to become a public institution and thereby place the ability to appoint trustees in the hands of the governor of New Hampshire. The Supreme Court upheld the sanctity of the original charter of the college, which pre-dated the creation of the State. The landmark case is considered one of the most important in United States history as it affirmed that the Constitution's contract clause protected private corporations from government interference. Webster died October 24, 1852.

Found in 2089 Collections and/or Records:

William Webster letter

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 807625
Webster Mss 807625
Date(s): 1807-11-25
Abstract

In English.

William Wirt letter

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 829408
Webster Mss 829408
Date(s): 1829-07-08
Abstract

In English.

William Wirt letter

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 830304
Webster Mss 830304
Date(s): 1830-05-04
Abstract

In English.

William Wirt letter to Daniel Webster

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 828219.1
Webster Mss 828219.1
Date(s): 1828-03-19
Content Description

United States Attorney General William Wirt writes to Daniel Webster concerning an unidentified court case that Gov. Ninian Edwards of Illinois lost. Wirt wants Webster's personal opinion of the case to be relayed to Edwards.

William Wolcott Ellsworth letter

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 842178
Webster Mss 842178
Date(s): 1842-02-28
Scope and Contents

Three-page letter from William Wolcott Ellworth in Hartford, Connecticut to Daniel Webster, telling him that he believes the country is indebted to Daniel Webster for remaining at his post. He hopes that nothing will occur to make it necessaary for Daniel Webster to abandon it. Defines the position of the Whigs in Court concerning the U.S. Bank. Senator Huntington, in his opposition to the Exchequer greatly mistook the sentiments of his constituents.

William Woodbridge letter

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 848627.2
Webster Mss 848627.2
Date(s): 1848-11-27
Abstract

In English.

Winfield Scott letter

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 840607
Webster Mss 840607
Date(s): 1840-11-07
Abstract

In English.

W.L. Sloss letter

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 850312
Webster Mss 850312
Date(s): 1850-03-12
Abstract

In English.

Writ of attachment

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 810660
Mss 810660
Date(s): 1810-12-10
Abstract

In English.

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